News Archive:

A50 Crash Cyclist's Amazing Escape

A CYCLIST is in hospital with a collapsed lung and 13 broken bones after being knocked off his bike in a hit and run.

Paul Bell, aged 45, cheated death after being catapulted from his bike into the central reservation of the A50 when he was hit by a lorry.

The keen cyclist, from Meir Park, was heading towards Uttoxeter when the incident happened near to the JCB World Parts Centre.

Speaking from his bed at University Hospital of North Staffordshire, he said: "I was cycling from Stoke-on-Trent to Uttoxeter when I was overtaken by a lorry and I thought ’phew that was a near miss’.

"Just as I was thinking that a lorry behind me hit my bike. I was thrown across two lanes and bounced off the central reservation.

"Luckily there were roadworks on the other side of the road as I struggled to the side with my bike to get the attention of the workmen."

The computer programmer broke 11 ribs, his collarbone and a shoulder blade. He was treated at the scene by paramedics called out by the workmen.

Daughter Aimee Jarville, aged 22, a part-time shop worker from Northampton, said: "The doctors said he should buy a lottery ticket he’s been so lucky. If there hadn’t been workmen God knows how long before someone found him."

The road workers alerted the emergency services, and Paul’s friend Simon Barnsley was contacted using a number that he gave before collapsing.

Aimee said: "When my dad’s friend rang me I was frantic with worry as soon as he started listing all the broken bones.

"I was wondering what the hell happened, why did the driver not stop? I want to find out who did this, they need to apologise to him more than anything."

Paul believes the lorry which struck him at about 6pm on Monday was white and police are now investigating.

A West Midlands Ambulance spokesman said: "We received a call at 6.12pm on Monday and sent three vehicles, two rapid response vehicles and an ambulance after reports of a man who was injured after an incident involving a bicycle and a lorry.

"The man was taken to University Hospital of North Staffordshire."

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Uttoxeter Police on 0300 123 44 55.